Now playing in Pattaya
The Amazing Spider-Man: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/
Thriller – Expected by all concerned to be the next super-big movie hit. This
time Peter Parker is played by the quite-amazing-by-himself Andrew Garfield
(The Social Network). He’s an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his
parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and
Aunt May (Sally Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who
he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a
mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to
understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to the lab of his
father’s former partner, a true villain whose alter-ego is The Lizard. Early
reviews: generally favorable.
The Vow: US, Drama/ Romance – If you like chick flicks
and rom-coms this is for you. But It’s quite watchable - the kind of movie you
can simultaneously snort at and enjoy. Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel
McAdams) have been happily married for 4 years. Then – they’re in a car
accident. They eventually come out fine physically, but Paige has completely
lost her memory of the previous years – including meeting Leo, and falling in
love and marrying him. Leo is determined to help her regain her memory but her
nasty parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange) don’t like him and want her to live
with them and let Leo go. Mixed or average reviews, the majority praising the
chemistry of the two stars. At Pattaya Beach only.
Chernobyl Diaries: US, Horror – This low budget horror
film is about six vacationers who hire an “extreme” guide to tour the site of a
nuclear reactor disaster in a deserted town near Chernobyl. What starts out as a
peaceful trip full of picture taking and jokes soon takes a turn for the worst.
It seems that Chernobyl is not as abandoned as they think and soon the nightmare
within decides to hunt the kids through the destroyed city.
The film was written and produced by Oren Peli (the creator
of the original ‘Paranormal Activity’) and directed by first time
director Bradley Parker on a budget of just $1 million. Generally unfavorable
reviews, such as “there is no good reason why anyone should ever watch this
movie!” Some strongly object to the making of monsters out of the victims of the
disaster: “There are 439 operating nuclear power plants in the world today, and
that leaves me uneasy. This movie only leaves me uneasy about the state of film.
It’s as though Chernobyl Diaries was produced by a pro-nuclear committee:
blame is shifted elsewhere, and the whole thing is easily forgettable.” Rated R
in the US for violence, some bloody images, and pervasive language. At Pattaya
Beach only.
Prometheus: US, Action/ Horror/ Sci-Fi – An exceptionally
well-done science-fiction film with a lot to think about amidst all the action.
A satisfying movie experience, which really must be seen in 3D. There was one
spot when the characters were exploring a cave, and with the sound of the water
dripping from the stalactites seemingly all around me in the theater, I was
transported into the scene more completely than I ever remember happening before
in a movie; it was an amazing experience.
It’s the story of a team of explorers who discover a clue to
the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest
corners of the universe. Directed by Ridley Scott, director of Alien and
Blade Runner, who with this film returns to the genre he helped define.
For me, many references to 2001: A Space Odyssey – including a walking,
talking, joking HAL 9000 robot. And he’s got his own personal issues to work out
(again!). Fine performances by Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, and Michael
Fassbender (as the robot). Rated R in the US for sci-fi violence including some
intense images, and brief language; 15+ in Thailand. Generally favorable
reviews, but I think it’s much better than that. I’d say it’s not to be missed,
and (warning!) since it’s not doing too well at the Thailand box office, time to
see it is limited. In 3D (English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D
(English) at Major; and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C – at least as of last
Wednesday.
Snow White and the Huntsman: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi –
I saw the plain old regular 2D version, and thought it a fantastically beautiful
film with superb art direction and a fully realized story. It’s the old tale
intact, with every moment, every twist and turn, given full due. Visually and
aurally it is without peer. The direction is fine with the exception of the use
of the shaky cam in a few places to cheat on the action scenes. It’s use is
minimal, irritating because the film is so exceptional otherwise.
Probably you won’t love it much if you have an objection to
fairy tales, but for me it is one of the most exciting and satisfying films I’ve
seen in some time. Seemed a never-ending dark feast of surprise after surprise,
delight after delight, imaginative horror after bloody evil. One could talk much
about the excellent and imaginative costuming and art direction, and music/sound
design. It all ends in a truly huge battle, unexpected in magnitude and
ferocity. Research on medieval battles and the background of the fairy tale were
provided by consultants from the University of Chichester and the University of
Oxford. All in all, just a very well-done film.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize
Theron; directed by Rupert Sanders, a well-regarded creator of commercials,
making his feature film debut. Shot mostly in England, with impressive
photography at Pembrokeshire with a computer-generated castle. Mixed or average
reviews, but I recommend it highly. Now in regular 2D only, in English
everywhere, except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: US, Animation/
Adventure/ Comedy/ Family – The Madagascar team of regulars – Alex the Lion,
Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe – are still fighting
to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe
where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent –
Madagascar style. Mixed or average reviews, which call it bright and breezy with
fast pacing, bright colors, dazzling circus acts, a vigorous villain, and some
new characters. Now in 3D (English) at Pattaya Beach and Major; 3D (Thai-dubbed)
at Big C.
Antapal (Hoodlum) / Gangster: Thai, Action/ Drama – A
gritty action film on the exploits of Thai gangsters in the 1950s, starring the
excellent Krissada “Noi” Sukosol Clapp as one of young hoodlums who take on the
old-time mafia to shake up the Thai underworld. They then find themselves
challenged by a pair of even younger hoodlums who are obsessed with the
lifestyle of James Dean.
Directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri, it’s based on a true story
about a Bangkokian Mafia that was formed during a time of social and cultural
upheaval in Thailand. Young people were listening to Elvis and aspiring to be
like James Dean, breaking down cultural norms and, in the case of the men at the
center of this film, breaking the law with a wild disregard for anything in
their way. Rated 18+. With English subtitles at all locations.
Men in Black III: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi – I enjoyed
this – the writers and director and actors were having fun with the story, and
the fun was infectious. There’s a truly enjoyable chemistry between Tommy Lee
Jones and Will Smith, and as things develop in the story, the same chemistry
works just as well between Smith and a younger version of Jones, played by Josh
Brolin. Mixed or average reviews, saying it does justice to the fun and whimsy
of the original, and gives a surprisingly emotional insight into the characters;
it’s a solid creature-feature filled with memorable performances and remarkable
visual effects. In 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D (English) at Major; and 2D
(Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Marvel’s The Avengers: US, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-Fi –
Marvel Comics’ greatest superheroes together in one film, hoping to attract you
to the cinema by strength of sheer numbers. The film is a big hit here, and
actually quite excellent for this type of film, and you may really enjoy it.
Generally favorable reviews, saying the film lives up to its hype with a script
that never forgets its heroes’ humanity. There aren’t many writer-directors
around as talented as Joss Whedon. Indeed, it’s the writing that sets this film
apart from the crowd. At Major only now, in English; no longer shown in 3D.
I Miss You: Thai, Drama – A film about a handsome surgeon
whose fianc้e dies in a car crash and comes back to haunt him when he starts to
look at someone new. Quite popular. In Thai only (no English subtitles) at all
locations.
Piranha 3DD: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi – The “DD” in the
title refers to the cup size of women’s bras, so you can tell what the movie is
fixated on. It’s a horror-comedy sequel to the 2010 film Piranha 3D and
Ving Rhames and Christopher Lloyd reprise their roles from the first film. No
longer shown in 3D; English at Pattaya Beach and Major; Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Generally unfavorable reviews, with many objecting to the film’s basic premise
that women’s breasts are for the viewing pleasure of other people, and nothing
else. In Thailand, only viewers over 20 years of age allowed in (supposedly).
